(Patriot Insider) – Actor Mel Gibson made an appearance Friday night on Fox News’ show “Watters World,” with host Jesse Watters.
The interview was a promotion of Gibson’s new movie “Father Stu,” set to be released April 13, but towards the end of the interview things took an awkward turn when Watters asked Gibson about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Gibson had just finished discussing his movie which evolved into a discussion of American egotism when Watters threw a curveball and asked about the slap.
“You understand it probably better than a lot of people, with your career,” said Watters.
“I was wondering if, you know, you had been the one that jumped up out of his seat and slapped Chris Rock, if you would have been treated the same way, Mel?” he said.
Exclusive one-on-one with Mel Gibson #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/C13wogYZSm
— Jesse Watters Primetime (@jesseprimetime) April 1, 2022
At the start of the question, Gibson began to appear uncomfortable and looked as though he was signaling someone. He pointed his finger at the camera and shook his head, giving an awkward laugh.
His audio cut out and a female off-camera voice came on, saying, “Hello, Jesse? Thank you. That’s our time.”
The Watters World host attempted to ask Gibson again, “Have you ever thought about that?”
The off-camera voice then repeated, “Thank you, Jesse. That is our time.”
Somewhere out there, Mel Gibson's like: "Why am I trending because Will Smith slapped Chris Rock???" pic.twitter.com/xIuJEXiZzX
— Fuzzy Chimp 🇺🇸 (@fuzzychimpcom) March 28, 2022
That was certainly an awkward ending to the entire but it was clear Gibson did not want to respond to that question. Gibson, who has had his own share of controversy over the years, was clearly leary about passing public judgment on the situation, understandably so.
What’s so strange is that someone else had to step in and end the interview instead of Gibson simply saying he’d rather not talk on that subject.
#Oscars | Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock In The Face On Oscars Stage After Jab At Wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s Appearance https://t.co/6TZkI48QNh pic.twitter.com/ibpffmh2Mc
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 28, 2022
Mel Gibson dragged into 'slap-gate' as fans call for him to lose Oscar if Will Smith doeshttps://t.co/1MEoiPL0ZE
— Express Celebrity 💫 (@expressceleb) April 1, 2022
Last Friday, Will Smith officially resigned as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences because of the incident.
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” he said in a statement, according to Variety.
“I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film,” he said in the statement.
Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor that night but the Academy has a meeting planned for April 18 to discuss how to handle Smith. The Screen Actors Guild also issued a statement saying that it “will work to ensure this behavior is appropriately addressed.”
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